CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => General Cocker Spaniel Discussion => Topic started by: Dan on April 13, 2012, 10:43:08 PM
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Seen and spoke to a few people today about brodie and how happy I am with her etc and everyone I spoke to( at different times) said don't they snap at people/kids alot! I just said no I've never known a cocker to snap at anyone unless they are threatened etc! And told them all te cockers I now are good with kids! Have you ever been asked the same question?
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When I was searching for a cocker puppy I spoke to one breeder who said she would never let a cocker puppy go to a home with children as cockers cannot be trusted with children. And that was a breeder who was recommended by another breeder!
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I have a lil boy and he grown up around my dads cockers and now I have one and I haven't witnessed a cocker snap at him at all! This concerns me a but now! But would this depend on how the pup was bought up etc?
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hmmm, I think all dogs might be snappy if allowed to be, irrespective of breed! Most of it is down to how the owner reacts and the trianing ;)
Pearl once pinched a biscuit from my neighbours sons hand - to be fair he was waving it around a lot and it must have been really tempting. After being told off and "excluded" for a while she's never tried again! His Mum makes him keep his biscuits out of sight now as she blamed him....he's only 3.5 bless! [these are my fab neighbours who let Pearl out 2-3 times a day, for me and take her for walks :luv:]
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Think a lot of it is due (as with any breed) to socialisation and how they are brought up, my own Brodie LOVES and adores children and always has from an early age - there were no young children in the immediate family at that time so I made sure she met plenty. My aunt has a son under ten and in his life there has been three puppies brought up in his house, all fine with kids.
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We don't have children ourselves but we do in the family and have lots of friends with small children. We have put a lot of training in with Willow in general and as a small pup we often had her on a house line when people visited so we could remove her from any unwanted behaviours.
Willow sometimes gets over excited when young children come but never snaps. She struggles to under stand my cousins son that is almost a year old and crawl around him at speed.
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Ye I agree with the above post it's how they are brought up and if there's kids in the family but it got my thinking when more than one person says it to you in one day! I thought cockers were one of the best dogs around children due to personal experiences!
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I think alot has to do with temperment of the individual dog, regardless of breed, and what they've grown used to. If a dog has never met a young child and isn't used to being grabbed at unexpectedly they won't be happy - who would be.
I've got an ex breeding bitch -I can't imagine she's had much experience of children (of the human variety) and yet she didn't bat an eyelid the first time she met my friend's toddler.
I'm sure your pup and son are going to be the best of friends growing up together - they just have to learn to respect each others boundaries.
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I got my first dog when my kids were 6 and 8, so he was bought up with them, as well as having lots of their friends visiting, he also came from a breeder with young kids. He is still not a natural lover of young children, though obviously is used them and is gentle. I do sometimes shut him away for peace and quiet if we have young kids visiting ;)
Lillie is fine with little kids (as above, though my kids were 2 years older when she arrived) she mostly ignores, or tolerates them though.
Teva, my youngest dog has been bought up with my, now, teenage kids. We do still have visiting little children, and she absolutely adores them. She would if she was allowed to, make a beeline for any little people we see out and about. She is incredibly gentle with them and obviously loves being aroung them!
Imho as well as carefully socialising your dog around kids, it is equally important not to let kids annoy/space invade the dog ;)
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Interesting.
I've never had any problems with my cockers and small children. Jess (almost 2 years old now) encounters little children quite frequently when we are out, she always wants to make a beeline straight for them although I don't let her. She's had babies 18 months old throwing their arms around her neck, pulling her ears, and trying to put their hands in her mouth - she just lets them, and responds by licking. Pretty much bombproof, I think. I have no concerns at all about her behaviour with children.
We don't have any small children in the family ourselves, it is just OH and me plus Jess in the household, but Jess is very well socialised. Her breeder had told us that she made a particular point of breeding for temperament, as well.
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I agree with Bluebell and others who say you must carefully socialise your dog around children, but it is equally important not to let the children annoy or invade the dogs space. If your dog has gone in to the crate to have a bit of peace and quiet the children should leave them alone. ;)
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Like others have said, I really believe that its based on individual dog's temperaments as well as their upbringing and socialisation.
Cooper is very bad with small children, but I got him from the SPCA at about 6 months old so his history is unknown. I have a sneaky suspicion that he's been abused badly by kids as he has a pellet in him that we found when he had radiographs, so someone's shot him with a pellet gun!!
There is a culture in this country of giving young boys pellet guns and letting them loose so I wonder if that and worse has happened to him.
He flips out when he sees young kids, screaming and barking and hiding behind my legs. It's very distressing for him and if they come too close to him I believe he would bite:( From early teens onwards he's fine, so its a certain age group he has an issue with.
I am trying to get him used to kids but I don't have a lot of exposure to them with my studies so its a slow process but we will get there and there's a definite improvement since he first came to me. I really don't think its a cocker specific thing though, my moms cocker,Taggert, is great with kids:)
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We got Maggie ex breeding girl when she was 7 and she obviously had never been near children. She was very wary of the 1 and 2 year old grand children to start with but now loves them and is very happy when they hug her when they come. Maggie though has a wonderful temperament and is very special .
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When I was searching for a cocker puppy I spoke to one breeder who said she would never let a cocker puppy go to a home with children as cockers cannot be trusted with children. And that was a breeder who was recommended by another breeder!
What a load of tosh. I would happily leave both of my Cockers with a child - as long as I knew the child would not snap at my Cockers - because they both have lovely temperaments.
Henry's breeder kept one of his sisters (Stourie) - another Orange Roan - and she posts videos of her on Facebook. A recent video showed Stourie with Anne's grandson - a toddler - having a lovely time together. She is so like Henry and can be trusted with children. So much depends upon early upbringing and socialisation.
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I think all dogs can snap at children when pushed!
We got Holly when our boys were 8months & 3 yrs, best thing we ever did, they have grown up together & have the most fantastic bond. I love watching them all curled up on the sofa together watching tv, Holly sprawled over the top of them, my eldest twirling Holly's furr :luv:
Admittedly we kept them separate for the first 10 months other than walks and supervised play/ training (never left them alone together) as children are ideal puppy toys, squealing running things with legs!
In 2 years we have never heard Holly growl not even a muzzle twitch, she is the most loving gentle girl we could of wished for :blink:
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Another who agrees it all depends of socialisation and training
We have an almost two year old niece who lives round the corner and we see her mos days. Bingley met her the first day he came home. We've never had a problem with aggression, he gets so excited when he sees her. It's as important that children are taught to respect dogs and understand they need their own space and are not to be play things for them. I would never leave Bingley and my niece unsupervised at the moment, purely because she is so young and if they both get excited and playful she can forget this sometimes and we have to remind her Bingley is not a toy. I think they key is ensuring, as best you can, that there is never a situation where the child or dog pushes the boundaries and creates a 'risky' situation
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I go with the dog personality opinion along with socialisation. However well socialised ,some dogs have 'personal space' issues, or strong guarding instincts. Just read the Behaviour section posts. These ones are still fantastic pets, but not to be expected to be cuddled without warniing or share food and toys! Of a life with nine dogs, the ones that were to be treated with respect, were the the cleverest ones,namely a cairn and a cocker.
Dogs ,like people, are all different.
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We have had Libby our blind cocker for 2 years in September, she was an x breeding dog, so had never been around babies/children but when my great niece was born a year last December she loved her from the start, Isabelle loves to stroke her & Libby enjoys the attention, we make sure they are supervised, as you never know what a toddler can do!! the only problem is that Libby doesn't see her & some times walks into her, but shes getting used to that now!! this is our 3rd cocker & never had a problem with any of my dogs, its the kids you have to train!!
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My Nerys first lived with my son, who has two children - they were 7 and 5 when he got Nerys, and she still loves to see them when they visit - she is very, very gentle with children. When my other grandson visited yesterday he and Nerys were curled up together on the chair watching telly - I have no worries about her temperament with little ones (but postmen are a different matter :005:)
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This is what I thought if they are bought up with kids from a pup they should be fine with them I've been reading a puppy book and that also says the sooner they interact with children and other animals the better! Cocker spaniels are one of the less likly dogs to snap at anyone but then again depends if it has had a hard life just good to no everyone thinks the same :)
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Its the same deal with dogs and cats, as it is with kids and dogs. Don't allow the dog to chase and torment the cat, and don't allow the child to chase and torment the dog. Teach understanding of body language and space and they will be friends. I grew up with cockers , I had 3 siblings and our dogs were totally soppy with us.
I have 3 children and my house is often filled with others children, and my girl Flo just adores them all , no excited barking, nipping or chasing.... Just wags, licks and cuddles. But I made sure when she was a puppy that no children tormented or got her over excited.
It's just like toddlers they are difficult when they're overstimulated or over tired... My second son used to be a biter when he was over- tired/stimulated.....hehe he's 12 now and hasn't bitten for 10 years ;)
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I think cockers can be very excitable around children and cockers are a mouthy breed, so if they mouth a child, people may think they are biting or are snappy. Dogs and children should always be supervised. Ollie is fantastic with kids, he loves them and just wants to lick them all the time. So although he means no harm, he is always supervised to make sure he doesn't get too excited and the children don't get upset about it. But after a while of them being in the house, he will happily lie down next to them and fall asleep, which is so sweet. :D
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How many of these people actually have or know any cockers? :dunno:
Most of the stuff people spout is ill informed rubbish >:(
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Ella, my ex breed bitch, had never seen kids or been socialised with them, she has no clue how to act and so just shouts at them!
I do not have 'access' to young children to desnsitise her, so really it is a case of my responsibility to ensure she cannot hurt or scare a young child.
I have three dogs, all different types and although Cooper, my JRTx is a great little dog, I would not leave any of them alone with a child, regardless of age!
the child can do things that you would not know about and all it takes is one second of behaviour to worry the dog, and then accidents can happen, the dog would not be able to tell you what had happened, and society always blames the dog!
just my opinion, but any dog can and may bite if given enough provocation, I for one would rather not take the risk.
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How many of these people actually have or know any cockers? :dunno:
Most of the stuff people spout is ill informed rubbish >:(
Agree with you there most people just assume because word of mouth! Brodie is great with my son and try are like best friends it lovely to see!
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What a loads of old ..............................
Cockers are no more snappy then any other breed and it is down to their upbringing, just like a human child.
I get sooooooo angry when people make stupid comments like this!! >:D
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Pile of tosh...all puppies are nippy regardless of breed and I would NEVER leave any dog alone with a child.
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my two cocker girls have been bought up with my kids and a steady trickle of kid visitors to the house.....and they love them :luv:..... i think as long as they have been socialised correctly, and never hurt or pulled about by children, then they should be fine....but this would be the same i suppose with any breed...
there are some very ignorant and small-minded people out there >:D
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as others suggest a lot is down to socialising - sadly some people get a dog before they have children and don't think of socialising them with little children - so consequently the poor dog is ousted when they do have kids (or grankids) because the poor dog can't cope with them
while you can't think of every eventuality it really makes sense to socialise with children
I don't have kids but mine are well socialised with them ;)
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Early upbringing is absolutely vital, as well as how you treat your puppy. Neither of my two dogs have been brought up with children, but I made sure that they met everyone we could when we were out. Of course, it's very easy for a Cocker puppy because they are so delightful, and most people want to give them a cuddle.
Some years ago, when Charley was a puppy, I was stopped by a lady in Norfollk town centre who asked me if her teen-age daughter, who had Downes Syndrome, could stroke him. I gave him to her to hold and she was thrilled. Of course Charley loved the attention and was soon licking her. I took every opportunity for Henry as well.
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Early upbringing is absolutely vital, as well as how you treat your puppy. Neither of my two dogs have been brought up with children, but I made sure that they met everyone we could when we were out. Of course, it's very easy for a Cocker puppy because they are so delightful, and most people want to give them a cuddle.
Some years ago, when Charley was a puppy, I was stopped by a lady in Norfollk town centre who asked me if her teen-age daughter, who had Downes Syndrome, could stroke him. I gave him to her to hold and she was thrilled. Of course Charley loved the attention and was soon licking her. I took every opportunity for Henry as well.
I used to take mine down to Cardiff Bay on sundays when they were puppies where there were lots of families, and generally a lot of stuff going on, and I would do the same as you - my pups ended up with everyone of different shapes and sizes, wheelchairs, babies, etc giving them a cuddle. I also take mine to the bank so they ended up getting passed round the queue for a cuddle.
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Cassie loves children (can't eat more than 2 tho !!!!!!!!!!!!! ).
She loves the attention and seems to understand to be gentle with them (might be my imagination !)
BUT I always encourage children to ask first before stroking her as not all dogs like children and a "snap" could turn a child off dogs for life
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Brodie is great with everything so far, loves everyone, any dog, Oh and especially food :005:
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Brodie is great with everything so far, loves everyone, any dog, Oh and especially food :005:
Ahh another Brodie ;) seems as if every Brodies are well tempered :)
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Well I don't personally think it's as black and white as some have made out. Socialisation around young children -tick, brought up around young children - tick, strong bond with the child in the house - tick, likes other children - not necessarily as they are unpredictable and an unknown.
Two cockers brought up the same but are so unlike - it isn't all about the socialisation when little and comments about the upbringing comparing that to a child - I don't have a snappy child and don't have snappy dog but I do have a dog who would avoid children if he could - so I oblige him!! He is the most loving to our family whereas the female who accepts anyone doesn't have a cuddle factor unless it is on her terms.
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Early socialisation, treat, reward, praise etc are all vital but personally its none of those that will keep your dog on the straight and narrow......
Its consistency and perserverence.......
Just because Toby is 1 doesnt mean the socialisation, treat, reward, praise etc has stopped. As with children you are always training! :005:
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Socialisation from the beginning is vital, but it's also about how you treat your pets. Friends say that I am soft with my dogs and that I spoil them. I do no such thing: yes, I let them lick me; they sleep on the bed; they get treats: I don't smack them, and I don't yell at them; I don't leave them alone for long periods; they go almost everywhere with me; and we have fun playing together.
One of the problems with some owners of puppies is lack of consistency. Some of the things that puppies do they find amusing, but later they will chastise the dog for doing precisely the same thing. When a puppy does something wrong, no matter how funny, he needs to be disciplined so that he learns right from wrong. Discipline does not equate with punishment. My dogs have never been punished, but they have learned appropriate behaviour. It is too easy to laugh at a puppy's behaviour and do nothing about it, but as an older dog it is no longer a laughing matter. Unfortunately, the poor dog has never learned.